Helambu Trek
About this tour
The Helambu Trek is an accessible trekking for everyone who likes to hike. Helambu is a beautiful region that counts many high-altitude villages. You can admire the Tibetan Buddhist elements, visit the meditation caves, or explore the oldest Buddhist monastery in Nepal. The lodges in this area are more comfortable then in some other areas, and are built sustainably. Besides experiencing authenticity during the Helambu trek, you support the survival and development of the mountain people in less-known areas. It is a win-win; you extend your cultural horizon, and the local community receives job opportunities and income, which leads to a development of the area.
As local experts, we can offer you an authentic and personal travel experience by composing a tailor-made trekking to a less travelled area. If you want to change elements, let us know!
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu, Nepal
One of our employees will welcome you at the airport. Our staff is there to accompany and assist you with the check-in procedures at your hotel in Kathmandu. A short meet & greet with Maaike and/or Chuda will take place. You will receive tips, answers to all your questions, and a trekking briefing. You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu, Nepal
Today you can take your time exploring lively Kathmandu. Did you know that Kathmandu counts multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites? You will find the beautiful temple complex of Swayambunath on a green hill on the city's western side. The complex is also known as the monkey temple. You can already guess which animal you are likely to spot. On the other side of the city, you can visit Boudhanath, the Tibetan Buddhist heart of Kathmandu. Lastly, you can have a lovely walk to Pashupatinath, a sanctuary for Hindus located along the Bagmati river. Here you can find the holy men who live around the temple, also known as Saddhu's. If you want to do a guided visit of these highlights, or an alternative activity, please get in touch with us and we can add it. You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Kathmandu, Nepal to Kutumsang, Nepal
Together with your guide and porter, you will drive to Thangkure, the starting point of your trekking. Today you mainly walk an ascending path, where you also have to climb a little. After a 2 to 3 hours walk, you arrive in Chipling, today’s final stop. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Chipling.
Day 4: Kutumsang, Nepal
Today, the path will slowly both ascend and descend. First, you will pass the village of Ghul Bhanjang (2180m); here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the region’s landscape and cultural elements. Later today, you will continue to climb to about 2600 meters, where you have fantastic Himalayan views of over 6000 meters high peaks. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Kutumsang.
Day 5: Kutumsang, Nepal to Melamchi, Nepal
On today’s walk, you will reach Langtang National Park. Your path will take you north, up the Yurin Danda mountain ridge, where you are rewarded with a stunning view of the mountain peaks and surrounding environment. After lunch, you walk up to a viewpoint; here, you can oversee the Jugal Himal mountain range with peaks over 6000 meters high. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Mangengoth.
Day 6: Melamchi, Nepal
Your day starts early as you will climb up to a viewpoint where you can admire a breath-taking sunrise over the Himalayas. Afterward, you will make a nice walk through dense forests that are the red pandas' habitat. With some luck, you can spot the red panda. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Mangengoth.
Day 7: Melamchi, Nepal
Today’s path will take you over a slope through a beautiful forest with rhododendron, oaks, and other trees. With the right weather conditions, you a rewarded with a magnificent view to the north of the Jugal Himal Mountains during your adventures hike. From the mountain pass Thare Pati you have a stunning view of the snowy mountains, such as the Dorje Lakpa, the Gaurishankar, the Langshisa, the Jugal, the Numbur, and many more. After descending through a fairy tale forest, you should diffidently visit the Buddhist meditation cave and the school nearby. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Melamchigaon.
Day 8: Melamchi, Nepal to Sermathang, Kiwool, Nepal
You will first descend to the suspension bridge above the Melamchi River, here you can admire many elements of the Buddhist culture, stupa’s, chortens, and watermills with prayer cylinders. Moreover, you will be introduced to the local culture and lifestyle of the Sherpa community. Tarke Ghyang, today’s final stop, offers a fantastic view of the holy mountain Ama Yangri. Here you can also visit a monastery that was heavenly damaged during the earthquake in 2015. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Tarke Ghyang.
Day 9: Sermathang, Kiwool, Nepal
During your last trekking day, you pass the village of Ghangyul. Experience a friendly welcome and enjoy a cup of tea. As an organic village, Ghangyul grows all their fruits and vegetables organic. Moreover, you pass a newly build Tasi Choling monastery. Sermathang is an important cultural and religious center in the Helambu region. You will spend the night in a sustainable teahouse in Sermathang.
Day 10: Sermathang, Kiwool, Nepal to Namobuddha, Simalchaur Syampati, Nepal
A jeep will take you back to the Kathmandu valley. Today’s final stop is Namobuddha, a beautiful and peaceful village. You can walk up to the famous Namobuddha stupa, which is very important to the Tibetan Buddhists. Moreover, after a short walk on top of the stupa, you can meet monks at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. You will spend the night in an eco-resort in Namobuddha.
Day 11: Namobuddha, Simalchaur Syampati, Nepal to Lalitpur, Nepal
Upon arrival, you have free time to go out and explore all the beauty Patan has to offer. Patan's highlights are; Durban Square, Kumari, Golden Temple, Kumbheshwar Temple, Machaboudha Temple, Machhhendranath Temple, and Kumari's house. As you can see, there are many cultural sites for you to visit. Moreover, Patan is also famous for its craftsman. You can, for example, watch stone cutters and metalsmiths creating the most beautiful handicrafts. You will spend the night in a hotel in a traditional Newari house in Patan.
Day 12: Lalitpur, Nepal to Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu, Nepal
All good things must come to an end. We hope you had as great an experience as we had to welcome you to Nepal! May your memories of this journey last a lifetime. Depending on your departure time, you can spend your remaining time in Kathamandu shopping for souvenirs. There are several great fair-trade shops and social enterprises with beautiful handmade goods made by marginalized women. In case you want to give something back to Nepal, talk to us about it! We have several reliable NGO’s and projects we work together with, and can direct you towards them to sponsor, donate or volunteer. At least 3 hours before your flight's departure time, our driver will pick you up at your hotel's reception.
What's included
> Welcome package (map of Kathmandu, textile mouth mask, etc.) > Only during the trekking lunch and dinner are included, not in Kathmandu, Namobuddha and Patan > During trek: one porter per 2 persons who carries your luggage up to a maximum of 18 kg > Only a guide during the trekking: English speaking licensed trekking guide > All necessary trekking documents > All transportation is done by a private car or jeep
> No lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Namobuddha and Patan > Personal expenses > Beverages > Visa fee > International flight tickets to Nepal > Tips for drivers, guide, porters, etc. (about 70 USD per person) > Any entry fees for a cultural visit during your stay in Kathmandu
What to know
Please get in touch with us for the latest info regarding entering in Nepal in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Traveling to Nepal is possible (dec. ‘20) but there are strict conditions that need to be followed.
Route & locations
Kathmandu, Nepal